by tinaplong » Wed Nov 11, 2009 05:17 am
My 17 year old son with a drivers permit drove my car to school, without my permission, because he was running late. When he was driving back home he hit a car. Now, both my husband & I are insured but, my son is not included in my insurance. We were planning to work it out with the other driver but, it looks like she found a good opportunity to go for dollar signs. There was only minor damage done to her car. Now shes claming parts that I know my son didn't hit (since I took pictures). What should I do? What can my insurance do? What can her insurance do to me or my son? (since she has already made a claim on it through her insurance) She has Mercury, not sure if she has full coverage or not and I have Farmers liabilty insurance only. What's the worst that can happen?
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 07:06 am Post Subject:
This is what happens when we don't add our teenager to our policy, nor do we explain the responsibilities to him. It would be difficult for the lady to fetch more out of her claim, since the technology that the insurance carriers use now-a-days would help them distinguish between an old dent and a new one.
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 04:35 pm Post Subject:
What you need to do is report the claim to your insurance company. Just because your son was not a listed driver doesn't mean there's no coverage. Many companies do not require a driver to be added until they have a permanent license. Even if your company does require a driver to be added when he gets even a temporary permit that wouldn't necessarily mean that you wouldn't be covered for the damage caused in this accident.
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:51 am Post Subject:
To Fishman I did contact my insurance guy and he said that they wouldn't cover him because at the time of the accident he was not included in the policy, the weird thing was that my husband had just gotten off the phone with the insurance guy to tell him that he wanted to include my son on the policy and was about to call me to find out my sons permit information when I called him and told him that my son had just had an accident (WEIRD and CREEPY) :shock: Now the insurance guy said that if I include my son in my policy it would be to high due to the accident and the fact that hes a minor, so he recomended to wait till he was 18 (which is 1 1/2 months away) and just don't let him drive anymore until he gets his own insurance. I don't know about that. But anyways, I contacted the the other driver and she told me that she did have full coverage and told her to let it go through the insurance because there's no way I could afford to pay 4K+ in cash for the repairs. Which was the door panel, 1/4 panel (the small part under the door), rear right fender (that's connected to the 1/4 panel), and a paint scuff on the bumper, small scratch on the rim. She's claiming to replace rim and tire :?, damage to driver door (I took pictures and there was no damage done to that part of the car), full bumper replacement (when theres only a scuff that can be buffed out), full door replacement included side molding, rear fender and 1/4 panel repaired, plus labor etc... all done at the dealer. Nice. :x
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 12:29 pm Post Subject:
I did contact my insurance guy and he said that they wouldn't cover him
Who EXACTLY did you talk to? Your agent? If so an agent can NOT deny a claim..also a claim is NOT denied unless and until it is done in writing..I've NEVER seen a claim denied because a teenager got into a wreck and wasn't listed on the policy..at worse the insured has to pay the backup premium for that policy period..You need to get this to your companys claims office NOT your agent..Now the insurance guy said that if I include my son in my policy it would be to high due to the accident and the fact that hes a minor, so he recomended to wait till he was 18 (which is 1 1/2 months away) and just don't let him drive anymore until he gets his own insurance.
It's going to be high anyway just because he's a teenage boy...you do understand that this agent/company isn't the only one around..No offense, but it always cracks me up how people without any collision repair knowledge (sorry I can tell by your phrasing) want to question what is required in a repair, and how much it costs...but boy oh boy when an insurance carrier (presumeably with the knowledge) does the same thing, it's a crime.. :lol:
I'm sorry but I think you still have a shot at coverage here...there was permissive use (unless you plan to file grand theft auto charges against him)...therefore..coverage should be afforded...
What insurance carrier do you have? and What state are you in?
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:44 am Post Subject:
(below was left in my quick mail by our OP-the "guest" post is the OP)
There's a little more detail about what has happened since my last post on that reply to Fishman. But thank you for your advice, it was very helpful . I will contact Farmers claims office to see if my sons accident will still be covered or not. Worst case scenario, what if they still don't cover us even if I agree to pay the backup premium charges for that covered period, what can happen? As you can see I don't know anything about how insurance claims work. Please advice.
Thank You,
Tina
Well Tina, worse case would be that you and your boy have to pay the claim. And your son get's a state report filed on him and gets his license pulled, and fined for driving without insurance.
You can set up a payment plan with the other carrier. Wait a second...who's requesting this money for repair, her or her carrier? Was this a newer vehicle? (meaning) does she have collision coverage? Ask her, if she does and if she's filed with her carrier (you'll likely be better off re: damage apprasial, you don't know if she told the shop what to write or not, the adjuster will make SURE it's accident related), also tell her that you have filed it with your carrier (and do so NOW).
It would really help if you'd answer the specific questions. and a couple of more..
When did this accident occur?
Who did you talk to with your carrier and when?
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